Yokono
The holy kingdom of Yokono is one of the most culturally diverse in T'sara. With D'arcani, Stoneheart, and Slyran influences, this country at the heart of it all has tastes of the rest of the continent throughout. This also means that it often struggles to find a cohesive identity of it's own. The current king, a young man having recently inherited it from his beloved father, is currently finding that out all too well.
Structure
Yokono is a theocratic monarchy, the Dynasty guided by the Cardinals of the church, ensuring all actions are in accordance with the will of the Gods. The church also provides guidance and services throughout most of the country, acting as a bureacracy or additional arm of the government.
The state is broken into four parishes of roughly equal size. The three beyond the capital are administered by a noble Lord, who is likewise guided by a Cardinal or senior Bishop in their behaviors. The individual settlements or regions within the parish are lead by magistrates or other royally designated officials.
Culture
The culture of Yokono is heavily blended. It's strongest influence is from the D'arcani Mage Lords to the North. Although never been a part of D'arcan, the strength and influence they exert cannot be ignored. The two nations also share a root ancestor of the First Age.
The northeastern area of Yokono is conquered territory from Stoneheart, the Orcish kingdom. Since the surrender and a peaceful life made with the new citizens, the orcs of Yokono have spread their Stoneheart culture further into the rest of the country. Now being of the same nationality, their codes of hospitality and cordiality seem less strange than they once had, and the Stoneheart tradition of a Kriia has found increased popularity, though not without alterations made.
Sylran Elves, though more distant, have also made a heavy influence in Yokono. They make a disproportionate proportion of the clergy of the Holy Kingdom. Humans with paranoiac tendencies have often accused such elves of trying to control the kingdom for their own benefit, but these claims have been heavily countered by pointing to the church being one of the most stable and consistent forces in a culturally turbulent land.
The northeastern area of Yokono is conquered territory from Stoneheart, the Orcish kingdom. Since the surrender and a peaceful life made with the new citizens, the orcs of Yokono have spread their Stoneheart culture further into the rest of the country. Now being of the same nationality, their codes of hospitality and cordiality seem less strange than they once had, and the Stoneheart tradition of a Kriia has found increased popularity, though not without alterations made.
Sylran Elves, though more distant, have also made a heavy influence in Yokono. They make a disproportionate proportion of the clergy of the Holy Kingdom. Humans with paranoiac tendencies have often accused such elves of trying to control the kingdom for their own benefit, but these claims have been heavily countered by pointing to the church being one of the most stable and consistent forces in a culturally turbulent land.
Public Agenda
The young king, shortly after taken the throne, made a public declaration to ease the minds of the people, concerned of the future after the death of the prior King. In this speech, King Lien announced that his plan would to be carry on the good that his father had done; seemingly trying to avoid any possible controversy or poor decision. This has largely gone over well in the Holy Kingdom, as well as with it's neighbors.
Demography and Population
Humans make up the largest portion of Yokono demographics, and human nations have had the largest affect on it's culture. Stoneheart Orcs from the East and Elves of varying nationalities tend to populate the Southern lands. In the more rural parts of the country, Tieflings fleeing from the more vindictive holy state of Vahn and Goblins trying to create a community of their own have taken root. In both cases, they go out of their way to form settlements off the beaten paths and known roads of the country, hoping above all else to just be left alone.
Foreign Relations
Drez, the city of Cooperation, has strong ties with Yokono. Many of it's first settlers were Yokono refugees, and the city-state makes concerted efforts to stay completely nuetral with it's neighbors. Most of the temporary migrants into Drez are students, hoping that the Guilded City has opportunities unavailable to them at home.
D'arcan's cultural pull is hard to resist, and the friendly relations the two nations have shared may become problematic. There are growing contingents along the border areas that wish to see the Alliance become a Union, and have Yokono be accepted into the Mage Lords. D'arcan is as uninterested in the idea as King Lien is, for the moment, but this could change. The most vocal of this feeling are the Orcs in former Stoneheart territory, who feel that between the two conquerers, that D'arcan was the better choice.
Relations with the Stoneheart Orcs have improved significantly since the Triumverate War. The Stoneheart Queen felt compelled by honor to join the cause of her kind, and recognized immediately the consequences of her decisions. There is no desire for repatriation of vengeance between the countries, so long as their former people are treated with the respect and dignity that would be expected of their own citizens. The Dalurian Hordes to the West are another matter entirely. This wild territory, controlled by various bands of warring barbarians, constantly refuse to recognize borders or civilization. Despite the smaller size, more troops have to be placed along this border to protect Yokono than any other area.
Relations with the Stoneheart Orcs have improved significantly since the Triumverate War. The Stoneheart Queen felt compelled by honor to join the cause of her kind, and recognized immediately the consequences of her decisions. There is no desire for repatriation of vengeance between the countries, so long as their former people are treated with the respect and dignity that would be expected of their own citizens. The Dalurian Hordes to the West are another matter entirely. This wild territory, controlled by various bands of warring barbarians, constantly refuse to recognize borders or civilization. Despite the smaller size, more troops have to be placed along this border to protect Yokono than any other area.
Trade & Transport
Yokono has an impressive network of roads that facilitate travel both within the country and between neighboring countries. It has been found that this was and continues to be a worthwhile investment, as the money spent on the building and maintaining has increased local and international trade at a more significant rate.
Capital
Leader
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Theocratic
Power Structure
Feudal state
Currency
Gold coins named as Donalo are the official currency of Yokono, with larger sizes indicating greater value. With half a dozen nations bordering the country, each with their own form of currency, it is a practical necessity that these other coins be accepted. Both the King and the Church try to incentivize Yokono citizens to only use the Donalo, largely by only accepting Donalo for payment of taxes and matters of government business, but the manner of international economics is harder to control.
Legislative Body
A monocameral parliamentary body provides a means to voice concerns of the people and the Lords directly to the King. The Parliament has no true power and can only make suggestions to the King, who may in fact disband Parliament or any of its members as he wishes. This limited power still provides a useful voice to the people, as this is the only means by which the King may hear a voice outside of the church on suggested courses of action and how to remedy them.
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Comments